Iran, Indonesia can counter unilateralism: Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran and Indonesia should join hands to outface the existing unilateralism in the world, which is pressuring all independent nations.

“Today, the international situation is chaotic and the existing unilateralism in the world is pressuring all independent nations … and to counter this [situation Iran and Indonesia] can cooperate well both in Asia and the international arena to resolve the problems of Islamic countries,” Ahmadinejad said.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the sidelines of the 5th Bali Democracy Forum on Friday.

Referring to the excellent bilateral relations between Iran and Indonesia, Ahmadinejad said cooperation between the two countries would also benefit other Asian states.

“Expanding cooperation between Iran and Indonesia as two strong arms in the west and east of Asia, particularly in an era when the unilateral structure of the world has reached its end and a new [world] order should replace it, will certainly benefit the two nations as well as the [other] countries on the Asian continent,” he said.

Yudhoyono, for his part, thanked Ahmadinejad for attending the Bali Democracy Forum and said his country seeks to expand cooperation with the Islamic Republic on all levels.

The 5th Bali Democracy Forum was held on November 8 and 9, focusing on security, peace, human rights, and economic development.

The forum was first held in Indonesia in 2008 with the aim of developing democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.